Alvis TD21 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Alvis TD21 car check
Is the Alvis TD21 reliable? We analysed 1,874 real MOT tests across 175 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Alvis TD21? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Alvis TD21 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Alvis TD21.
Alvis TD21 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Alvis TD21. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Alvis TD21 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Alvis TD21 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Alvis TD21 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Alvis TD21 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Alvis TD21 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Alvis TD21 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Alvis TD21 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Alvis TD21 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 349 | 82.8% | 32,282 | 52,441 | 68,695 |
| 1962 | 259 | 77.6% | 24,906 | 50,780 | 68,862 |
| 1961 | 404 | 75.2% | 10,764 | 22,628 | 68,518 |
| 1960 | 438 | 75.6% | 11,837 | 37,049 | 70,582 |
| 1959 | 135 | 82.2% | 16,454 | 25,527 | 49,152 |
How Long Does a Alvis TD21 Last?
Based on 175 Alvis TD21 vehicles on UK roads.
Alvis TD21 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Alvis TD21 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Alvis TD21
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
82.8% MOT pass rate from 349 tests
75.2% MOT pass rate from 404 tests
The best year to buy a used Alvis TD21 is 1963, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.8% across 349 tests. The 1961 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Alvis TD21 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvis TD21 THIS CAR | 78.0% | 1,874 | 41,065 mi | 67 yrs |
| Harley Davidson MT350 | 83.4% | 2,682 | 11,298 mi | 33 yrs |
| Seat Leon FR Black Edition TDI S-a | 88.5% | 710 | 45,814 mi | — yrs |
| Kia Venga 1 Ecodynamics | 92.1% | 743 | 49,836 mi | — yrs |
| Morris Marina 1.3 Deluxe | 74.4% | 1,050 | 48,441 mi | 55 yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson MT350 (83.4% pass rate) and the Seat Leon FR Black Edition TDI S-a (88.5% pass rate), the Alvis TD21 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Alvis TD21 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Alvis TD21Should you buy a used Alvis TD21?
The Alvis TD21 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.0% across 1,874 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Alvis TD21 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (66 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (34), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (29). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Alvis TD21 owner drives around 370 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Alvis TD21 models stay on UK roads for around 67 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.